“What am I doing?
Lydia, you messed up, so yeah, it’s only fair you get punished!”
Henry glared at her sideways, his eyes bloodshot and his smirk twisted with anger.
—No, no, please, Henry, I’m begging you, don’t…
Aah…
Lydia clutched her hands tightly, crying and begging, but Henry just stepped on the gas.
The car shot forward like it had a mind of its own.
Without a seatbelt, Lydia was thrown hard toward the dashboard from the sudden speed.
Henry stayed stone-faced, not even sparing her a glance as he weaved through the chaotic traffic like a madman.
His driving was wild—cutting lanes, jumping lights, barely dodging other cars like some sort of possessed race car driver.
It wasn’t until they got to a quieter coastal road that things calmed down a little—or at least the traffic did.
Henry’s speed, on the other hand, only got faster.
“Henry, stop!
Please, stop the car now!
Please!
Aah!!!”
BAM!
The deafening crash filled the air as the speeding sports car finally lost control at a sharp curve on the coastal highway, smashing right into the guardrail.
Lydia was flung out with terrifying force, her body tumbling before crashing to the pavement through the busted car door.
Henry’s head slammed into the steering wheel, and blood immediately started dripping down his forehead.
He shook his head, dazed, and then turned to look for Lydia.
But the moment he saw her lying there in a pool of blood, his whole body froze.
Panic quickly washed over his face.
“Lydia!”
He stumbled out of the car, rushing to drag her over, and only then did he realize how bad it was.
Her entire body was bruised and battered, her face swollen and bloodied, and an old wound had been torn open again.
“Lydia, wake up!
Hey, come on, open your eyes!”
Holding her tightly, Henry looked more scared than he ever had before.
—Henry…
I-I’m sorry… New chapters come out on g.com first.
please don’t be mad anymore…
Lydia’s blood-soaked eyes fluttered open just enough for her to sign those few words weakly.
Before she could finish, she passed out cold.
When Lydia opened her eyes again, bright sunlight was pouring onto her face.
She instinctively squinted, turning her head slightly before slowly opening her eyes fully.
Looking around at the unfamiliar yet familiar room, she blinked in surprise.
Wait…
this was Henry’s room?
Before she could wrap her head around that, his voice rang out outside.
It had been three whole days since that insane car ride.
Lydia had been in a coma ever since.
Every time Henry saw the unconscious Lydia, he’d get hit with that weird mix of emotions again —the kind that made his chest tighten.
But the moment his mind flashed back to her in Michael’s arms, all that heartache instantly got buried under a wave of anger he could barely keep in check.
He had just turned to check on her in the room when his phone rang —Helen calling.
His brows pulled together involuntarily.
Things had been off between them ever since that car crash a decade ago.
Ever since he took over the company, their mother-son relationship had turned into radio silence unless absolutely necessary.
But for the past few days, she’d been calling nonstop.
Last time was about Clara.
Who knows what it’s about now?
After thinking for a moment, he finally picked up.
“Henry, seriously?
I’ve been calling you for two days!
Why haven’t you answered?” Helen’s voice came right at him, full of irritation. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“You need something?” Henry’s tone was clipped.
“Your uncle’s back!” she said, her voice picking up with excitement.
“My uncle?” Henry froze.
“Yes!
Isn’t that a surprise?
I didn’t expect it either.
It’s a good day for a change, perfect excuse for a family get-together.
Dinner at the old house tonight.
I don’t care what’s on your plate —you have to come.”
She sounded dead serious about it, didn’t even wait for him to respond before hanging up.
Henry stood there frowning, lost in thought.
That uncle of his had supposedly died abroad years ago.
So how was he suddenly back?
Clearly, something was off here.
Maybe it was worth going to see what’s really going on.
Still deep in thought, he opened the bedroom door —and walked right into Lydia, who had just woken up and was heading out.
“Ah!”
Lydia gave a startled gasp.
She was still weak from the accident, and getting bumped into by Henry’s tall, solid frame sent her stumbling backward.
Henry’s eyes narrowed as he instinctively reached out, his fingers grabbing her delicate hand.
In one swift motion, his other arm circled around her waist, pulling her into his chest just in time.
They ended up chest-to-chest, faces ridiculous close.
Lydia blinked, instinctively tilting her head up, only to find herself staring at Henry’s jaw.
Oddly enough, the usually sharp and polished Henry actually had a bit of stubble today.
She couldn’t stop staring —and just as she was zoning out, Henry lowered his head.
The next second, their eyes locked.